Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of State agencies across all departments which were abolished or merged since in 2011; the name and purpose of each one; the amount saved by the merger or abolition; the number planned to be merged or abolished in 2012; the name and purpose of each one; the amount expected to be saved from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20116/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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With regard to the number of State agencies abolished or merged in 2011; the number planned to be merged or abolished in 2012; and the resultant savings from these measures, I refer the Deputy to my answer to Deputy Michael McGrath (PQ Ref No: 17472/12) on 29 March 2012.

Questions regarding the purpose of the individual bodies concerned should be directed to the relevant Ministers. In terms of my own Department, the bodies which are subject to critical review in 2012 are:

National Development Finance Agency (Merge National Development Finance Agency in to OPW/National Procurement Service). The purpose of the NDFA is to advise Departments about the optimum means of financing the cost of capital projects in order to achieve value for money, whether procured through a PPP approach or through traditional procurement; and to advise State authorities on all aspects of financing, refinancing and insurance of such projects.

Valuation Office (Merge the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey). The purpose of the Valuation Office is the provision of accurate, up-to-date valuations of commercial and industrial properties to ratepayers and rating authorities as laid down by statute. The Office also provides a valuation consultancy service to other Government departments, local authorities, health boards and the Revenue Commissioners.

Disciplinary Code of Appeals Board and the Independent Mediator (Abolish/Merge with new employment rights body listed under Appendix IIa of the Public Service Reform Plan). The purpose of these bodies is to provide the internal appeal mechanisms for discipline (Disciplinary Appeals Board) and grievance (Independent Mediation Officer) in the Civil Service.

State Laboratory (Merge Forensic Science Laboratory Medical Bureau of Road Safety into State Laboratory). The purpose of the State Laboratory is to provide a high quality analytical and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices that supports their policies, regulatory programmes and strategic objectives particularly in the areas of agriculture and food; revenue protection; and protection of the environment and public health. It also provides a toxicology service to assist Coroners' investigations.

Office of the Ombudsman (Amalgamate Office of the Data Protection Commissioner with the Office of the Ombudsman. There are also a number of related actions from Appendix IIa including merging the functions of the Language Commissioner and merging the back-office functions of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children into the Office of the Ombudsman). The purpose of the Office of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints about the administrative actions of Government Departments, the Health Service Executive, local authorities and An Post.